Laundry apparatus



. Aug. 29, 19 4- F. BRECKENRIDGE ETAL 56,

LAUNDRY APPARATUS Filed Dec. 31, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l WITN SSES:INVENTORS z) E BREcKE was AND .E. K. ARK- ATTORN g- 1944- F.BRECKENRIDGE ETAL 72,356,816

LAUNDRY APPARATUS Filed Dec. 31, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG- 2.

INVENTORS r-r BRECKENRIDGE. AND E. CLARK- QAT'II'ORN WIT ES:

Aug.29, 1944. F. BRECKENRIDGE ETAL 2,356,816

LAUNDRY APPARATUS File d Dec. 51, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet s L.'/ ,I 1,ggggg, 5

M/NUES I 0 f1 .8 1|? ['6 270 2 4 2 8 5'2 5'5 40 l l O 50] I //s TIMERAND ;Q j L 1 MAIN MOTOR- HIGH SPEED.

[09 com WA ER- MIXED WATER DRAIN.

FIG. 5-

WITN SSES: INVENTORS 2-. BRECKENRIDGE- AND .E. K- CLARK- ATTOR PatentedAug. 29, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LAUNDRY APPARATUS;

Frank Breckenridge and Earl K. Clark, Mansfield, Ohio, assignorstoWestinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, East. Pittsburgh, Pa.,a corporation of Pennsylvania Application December 31, 1940, Serial No.372,616

2 Claims.

This application is a continuation-in-part of our application, SerialNo. 251,699, filed January 19, 1939. Our invention relates to laundryapparatus and has. for an object to provide improved apparatus of thiskind.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved laundryapparatus wherein the washing, rinsing andwater-extracting steps in thewashing program are automatically effected.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved laundrymachine of the character set forth in which the amount of hot water usedduring a washing cycle is small and wherein a relatively large number oftemperature settings for the water admitted to the machine are provided.

A further object of our invention is to provide improved cleaningapparatus in which the fabrics being treated are subjected to aplurality of rinsing operations including a final spray rinse whichcools the fabrics and the air within the apparatus so that removal ofthe fabrics from the apparatus may be effected by the operator incomfort.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved flexiblymounted washing apparatus having control devices for regulating theoperation of the apparatus and supported so that they are not subjectedto vibratory motion of the apparatus.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an improvedprogram of steps in the washing, rinsing and drying of fabrics.

These and other objects are effected by our invention as will beapparent from the following description and claims taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a laundry machine constructed and controlledin accordance with the invention; portions of the outer casing ofthemachine being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the machine having portions thereof broken awayfor the sake of clearness;

Fig. 3 is a diagram of the electrical connections of the automaticcontrol;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a detail shown in Fig. 2; and, I

Fig. 5 is a partial view of a modified timer mechanism of the typeshown'in Fig. 3 and defining an element of a second embodiment of ourinvention.

Reference will now be had to Figs. 1 and 2 the type generally shown andclaimed in the copending application of Frank Breckenridge, Serial No.203.804, filed}. April 23, 1938, and assigned to the assignee. of thepresent application.

The laundry machine shownin-Figs: 1- and 2 includes a, casing structuregenerally indicated at 10V and having a front wall II, a portion ofwhich is inclined asshownat l2. A water-containing structure or tub. I!-of frusto-conical configuration is disposed within the casing structurel0; so that its axis is inclined, said. tub being provided with anendwall H'at'the large end. thereof- The end wall It is provided with anopening 15 that is closed'by a suitable door I8.

Rotatably disposed within the tub- I3 is a perforate basket ll of"frusto-conical configuration and having anend wall I9 at, the large endthereof. within which an opening I9 is formed. The basket l1 includes anend wall 21 at the small. end. thereof which is curved inwardly of thebasket I! and defines a dome within the. basket I I. The basket 11 iscoaxiallyarranged within the tub and rotatably carried-by alshaft .22journaled in a bearing 23. the latter being carried by the tub structure|3 as shown. 'Ihebasketv I] is provided with a plurality of perforations24 lationv with the latter asshown. at 26. The-spe cine-form ofbasket-structure shown herein is more fully disclosed and claimed in thecopending application of Stuart R. Baird, Serial No. 268,103, filed.April15, 1939, and: assigned to the assignee of the present application.

The respective, access openings? I 5;. and I9 of the tub I3; and basket.H are aligned. substantially with an access opening 21 formed. in theinclined. portion. 12 of the casing front wall H. The opening 2! isclosed by a suitable cover 28 during inactive periods of thelaundrymachine, which cover is removed'during operation; When the cover 28; isremoved, the; door l6 may be swung to its open position through theopening 21 of. the casing. The admission of; the fabrics to be washed tothe basketv I? is effected through the openings 15 and I9.

Rotation of the basket: I! is effected by a driving mechanism, generallyindicated at. 29

and preferably carried by the tub structure 13.

wherein we have shown a laundry machine of As shown, a pair of brackets31. are-secured to the tub structure I! and carry the driving mechanism29. The driving mechanism 29 includes a motor 32 and a speed-reducingmechanism 33 driven thereby, said speed-reducing mechanism 33 having adriven shaft 34 upon which a pulley 35 is carried. The pulley 35 isbelted, as shown at 36, to a relatively large pulley 31 carried by theshaft 22 of the basket 11.

The speed-reducing mechanism 33 is adjustable to provide high and lowspeeds of the driven shaft 34. Adjustment of the mechanism 33 iseffected by an arm 38 that is actuated by a mag net 39. When the magnetis deenerglzed, the arm 38 is in the position shown in full lines andslow-speed operation is effected. When energized, the magnet 38 movesthe arm 38 to the position shown in broken lines for effecting highspeedoperation of the shaft 34.

As two-speed mechanisms of the type shown at 33 are well understood inthe art, further description of the same is deemed unnecessary.

' Any suitable mechanism may be employed for effecting low andhigh-speed operation of the shaft 34 and consequently the basket H, Thespecific form of mechanism employed forms no part of the presentinvention and has not been shown in detail for the sake of brevity. Thetub structure I3 may be carried within the casing ID in any well-knownmanner and, as shown, is flexibly supported. A plurality of springs 4|are suspended from the casing l8 and resiliently support the tub l3within the casing l0. Centering of the tub 13 within the casing I iseffected by a plurality of tension springs 42 which are secured to thebottom of the tub l3 at their inner ends, as shown at 43, and to thecasing In at the outer ends thereof, as shown at 44. A suitable flexiblesupport, generally of the type disclosed, is described and claimed inthe co-pending application of Frank Breckenridge et al., Serial No.303,202, filed November '7. 1939, and assigned to the assignee of thepresent application. r

In accordance with our invention, water at a predetermined temperatureis supplied to the container or tub Hi from suitable sources of hot andcold water (not shown). Hot and cold water conduits 46 and 41,respectively, are secured within the casing in (Fig. 2) and convey thewater from said sources to a thermostaticallycontrolled mixing valvestructure, generally indicated at 48 and secured to the inclined portion[2 of the casing front wall H. The mixing valve structure 48 is shown indetail in Fig. 4 and includes a housing 49 having hot and cold waterinlet chambers 50 and communicating with .,the conduits 46 and 41,respectively. The housing 49,also encloses a water-mixing chamber 53that communicates with a discharge conduit 54. Passage of water from.the inlet chambers 58 and 5| to the mixing chamber 53 is controlled byrespective valves 55 and 56 which are carried by a common stem 51 and soarranged that one valve moves in an opening direction as the other valveis moved in a closing direction. I

Movement of the valves 55 and 56 is eflected by a suitable thermalresponsive element 58, shown byway of example as a bimetal spiral, theinner end of which is secured to a rotatable stud 59 and the outer endof the spiral being operatively connected to a collar 6| carried by thevalve stem 51. As the temperature of the water in the mixing chamber 53increases, the spiral 58 unrolls and moves the collar 5| to the left sothat the valve 55 is actuated in a Closing direction and the valve 56 inits opening direction. A reduction in temperature of the water in thechamber 53 effects opposite operation of the valves 55 and 55.Accordingly, the temperature of the water in the chamber 53 ismaintained at a substantially constant value which may be varied byrotation of the stud 59 and consequent winding or unwinding of thespiral 58. Rotary movement may be imparted to the stud 58 by a knob orhandle 62 fixed thereto and disposed externally of the casing III asshown in Figs. 1 and 2. Preferably, the stud 59 is secured to a movableplate 63 having teeth formed thereon which mesh with a pinion 64 carriedby a shaft 65. The shaft 85 extends exteriorly gf thg casing l0 andcarries the knob 62.

The water discharged from the water-mixing device 48 is conveyed to anozzle 66 secured to the tub l3 and so disposed that it directs thewater into the basket I! through the opening l8. As theresiliently-supported tub I3 is movable relative the casing Hi, weemploy a flexible conduit 61 for conveying the water from thedischargeconduit 54 of the mixing device 48 to the nozzle 66. Anelectrically-operated valve 68 is disposed in the conduit 54 forcontrolling the flow of mixed water discharged by the device 48 and maybe of any suitable construction. As shown, a solenoid 69 is employed foractuating the valve 68 and is so arranged that the valve 88 is openedduring energized periods of the solenoid 69 and is closed'when thesolenoid 63 is deenergized. As the construction and operation of thesolenoid-operated valves are well understood, no further description ofthe same is deemed necessary.

As set forth in the cycle of operation appearing hereinafter, cold wateris admitted to the tub directly/from the cold water supply conduit 41 attimes, and, in order to efiect this operation, a conduit H is connectedbetween the cold water supply conduit 41 and the conduit 54 on thedownstream side of the valve 68. A valve 12 is connected in the conduitH and provided with a solenoid I3. The solenoid-operated valve 12 isconstructed similarly to the valve 68 so that further reference to itsoperation is not necessary. The arrangement of the valves 68 and 12 inthe water supply system is such that mixed water at a predeterminedtemperature, cold water or a mixture of the mixed water and cold watermay be supplied to the tub I3.

The level of the water in the tub I3 is conincludes a reservoir 16 thatcommunicates with the-interior of the tub by means of a flexible conduit11 secured to the bottom of the reservoir 16 at one of its ends and atits other end to a pan 18. An opening 13 is provided in the bottom 01'the tub structure l3 and provides communication between the interior ofthe tub It A removable strainer (not shown) of suitable construction ispreferably disand the pan l8.

posed in the pan 18 between the outlet 18 and the conduits 88 and 11 forpreventing passage of solid objects from the tub to the latter conduits88 and I1.

The float switch structure I5 includes a float 8| that is movablebetween upper and lower shoulders 82 and 88 formed on a rod 84. A switch85 0f the tumbler type is carried by the strucmoved upwardlysufliciently to engage the collar 82 whereupon the rod 84 and theprojections 86 are moved upwardly and engage the actuating member 85a sothat the switch 85 is moved to its closed position. As described morefully hereinafter, the switch 85 is connected in the electrical circuitsof the valve solenoids 59 and I3 and efiects deenergization of the samewhen the level of thewater in the tub is at the level indicated bydotted lines. Closure of the switch 85 is efiected when substantiallyall of the water has been removed from the tub I3.

The discharge of vitiated water from the tub structure I3 is efiected bya pump 88 (Fig. 1) having an inlet connection 89 connected to the panI8. Delivery of water from the pan I8 through the conduit 89 iscontrolled by an electrically operated valve 9|, the construction of iwhich is similar to the construction ofthe valves 58 and I2. The valve9| is actuated by a solenoid 92 which, when energized, effects openingof the valve 9|, and, conversely, when the solenoid 92 is deenergized,the valve 9| is moved to its closed position.- The water translated bythe pump 88 is discharged through a suitable conduit 93, shown by way ofexample as a length of rubber hose, to a point of discharge.

Control of the various electrical instrumentalities including the motor29, the valve sole: n'oids 69, I3 and 92 and the clutch magnet wind-'ing 39, is automatically effected by a timing device generally indicatedby the numeral 94 in Fig. 1 and carried by the inclined panel I2 of thecasing I0. The timing device 94 is preferably of the motor-driven drumswitch type and is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 3. The timer 94includes a drum 95 which is shown in development in Fig. 3 and whichcarries electrically-cona speed-reducing mechanism generally indicatedat I21. Movement of the drum 95 is at all times in the direction of thearrow Fig. 3. The drum 95 may be manually rotated by a knob or handleIll when initiating a washing cycle. In order that manual rotation ofthe shaft I26 and drum 05 may be effected, a clutch I28 is disposed be-The source of power for the various electrical instruments is indicatedby line conductors LI. and 1a, the former of which is connected to thecontact finger H8. The line conductor In is directly connected to oneterminal of each of the motors 29 and I25 and to a terminal of thedischarge valve solenoid 92. The opposite terminals of the motor 29 andI25 are joined and connected to the contact finger H9. The oppositeterminal of the solenoid 92 is connected to the contactfinger I23. Oneside of each of the solenoids 39, 13 and 69 is respectively connected tocontact fingers I20, I2Iand I22. The opposite terminals of the solenoids39, I3 and "are joined and connected to the line conductor L: throughthe switch 85 of the fioat switch structure I5.

Operation The cycle of operation of the apparatus will now be described.The fabrics to be washed are deposited in the basket II through theopenings I5 and I9 at which time a suitable break may be deposited forincreasing the alkaline content of the water. The door I6 is then closedand the drum 95 of the switch is rotated manually for in-' iti-atingoperation of the apparatus.

or washing speed, for example, R. P. M. En-

gagement of the contact fingers I2I and I22 with the segments I09 and H0effects energization of both water valve solenoids I3 and 69, it beingunderstood that the float switch 85 is closed. Mixed water at atemperature determined by the setting of the thermostat knob 92 isadmitted to the tub through the nozzle 89 and cold'water from theconduit 41 is passed through the solenoid valve I2 to the nozzle 88.Accordingly, the

temperature of the wash water for thefirst washing period is relativelylow. When the level of the water in the tub has risen to the levelindicated by the broken line, the float switch 85 is and are deflectedforwardly of the basket. This tween the shaft I25 andthe speed-reducingmechanism I2I, it being understood that the high reductionspeed-reducing mechanism I21 could not be manually rotated by the handleI30.

The operation of the clutch is such that when the motor I25 is operated,"rotation of 'the drum I5 is effected through the clutch I28. Whenrotary movement is manually imparted to the drum 95, through the handleI30, the clutch I28 is adapted to slip. 7

operation is then repeated.

When the soil conditions are severe, the first washing period isefi'ected for the full period of time, or six minutes, at the end ofwhich time, the segments I00 and I02 are disengaged from the fingers H8and H9 and operation of both the timer motor I25 and the main motor29/is terminated. Prior to terminating operation of the motors, thesegment II5 engages the contact finger I33 for opening the drain valveslI charging the water from the tub. 1

v Engagement. of the contact fingers H9 and HQ with the se8- for disagesthe finger I22 whereupon the mixed water adenoid valve 58 is opened andrelatively warm nter at a temperature determined by the setting of thethermostatically-controlled devices 40 and 52 is admitted to the tub. Inthis connection. no change in the setting of the water-mixing device isnecessary. During the initial admission of water to the tub. for thefirst wash both mixed and cold water is admitted to the tub so that thewash water temperature is relatively low. Only mixed water from thedevice 40 is admitted for the second wash so that the water temperatureis relatively high.

The flow of warm water into the tub is terminated when the float switch85 is opened and the second washing period is now efl'ected for a periodof Inme determined by the setting of the drum 95 when manuallyinitiating operation of the apparatus for the second time. It will beunderstood that if the soil conditions are light, the drum may bemanually advanced whereupon the duration of the washing period isshortened. a

The washing cycle is completed when the drum 55 has been advanced to thepositionv indicated approximately by the twenty-five minute point asshown in Fig. 3, at which time the drain valve 0| is opened by theengagement of the contact segment H8 and the finger I33. Whensubstantially all of the water is drained from the tub, the segments I01and H2 engage the fingers HI and I22 and, as the float switch 05 isclosed, cold water and mixed water are directed into the basket throughthe nozzle 601 for flushing out soap scum and soils remaining on thefabrics. This operation is effected for a relatively short period oftime after which the contact segment I04 engages the finger I20 and, asthe float switch 05 is closed at this time, the clutch magnet 33 isenergized and high-speed operation of the basket is initiated. The washwater remaining in the fabrics is centrifuged therefrom for a period oftime of approximately two minutes, after which themagnet 39 isdeenergized and slow-speed operation of the basket is initiated. At thistime, the drain valve is also closed as the segment I I0 is disengagedfrom the finger I23.

Filling of the tub with rinse water is then effected. Rinse watercomposed of cold water and mixed water is admitted to the tub with theenergiiation of the solenoids I3 and 65, which operation is effected bythe engagement of the segments I08 and I I3 and their respective fingersHI and I22. When sufiicient water is admitted tothe tub, the floatswitch 85 again opens and terminates fiow of rinse" water to the tub.Agitation of the fabrics in the rinse water is effected forapproximately seven minutes or until-the timer has been moved to thethirty-five minute position on the scale, at which time, the drain valveis opened by the engagement of the segment Ill and the finger I 23. Atthis time the soap is thoroughly diflused in the rinse water and isdischarged therewith.

High-speed operation of the basket is again effected when the segmentI05 engages the finger I20 and the rinse water is spun from the fabricsand discharged from the tub. It is understood that the float switch 05is closed during highspeed operation of the basket. A spray rinse iseffected for a relatively short period of time during the early portionof the spinning of the fabrics or when the segments I and I I4 engagethe fingers I2I and I22, which operation eflects energization of boththe water valve solenoids 09 and 13 so that water at a relatively lowtemperature is sprayed on the fabrics durin the highspeed rotation ofthe same. The fabrics are spun at high speed for approximately fourminutes at a speed of approximately 500 R. P. M., or until the contactsegment I05 has been disengaged from the finger I20. A complete cycle ofoperation has now; been described and the damp fabrics may be removedfrom the basket.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the first washing periodmay be eliminated if the soil conditions are light, as the drum may beimmediately adjusted in initiating operation of the apparatus to itsadvanced position or the position wherein the segment IN is engaged withthe contact finger H8. Furthermore, the duration of the washing-periodmay be varied depending upon how far the drum is advanced in initiatingoperation. The therrnostatically-controlled water valve which we employis gradually operated and effects close regulation of the temperature ofthe wash water admitted to the tub. The thermal responsive element orspiral 58 is on the downstream side of the regulating valves 55 and 55in the mixing chamber 53 so that it is subiected at all times to thetemperature of the water mixture which is admitted to the tub. Thethermal responsiveelement 58 rapidly effects the necesary change inratio of hot and cold water admitted to .the chamber, and precludes thepossibility of admitting water to the tub at a temperature above a safetemperature for the articles to be washed. In other words, alternatesurges of hot andcold water into the tub are prevented. Accordingly,woolen articles which may be damaged when subjected to water at atemperature above approximately F., may be safely washed.

Furthermore, the rinse water admitted to the tub is a mixture of mixedwater discharged from the thermostatically-controlled valve 48 and coldwater, whereby a substantial saving in the amount of hot water used iseffected. We consider this an important feature of our invention.

' The thermostatically-controlled valve which we employ for mixing thecold and hot water is gradually operated so that noise due to waterhammer is prevented.

In the embodiment of our invention described heretofore, the rinse wateremployed during the first flushing rinse, the agitating rinse and thefinal spray rinse is composed of a mixture of cold water and waterdischarged from the mixing chamber. Accordingly, the temperature of thewater for all rinses is lower than the temperature of the water employedfor washing. In Fig. 5 we have shown a portion of a timer mechanismemployed in a second embodiment of our invention wherein thetemperatures of the water admitted to the tub for the different rinsesvary. The timer mechanism shown in Fig. 5 is identical with the timershown in Fig. 3 except that the contacts I01 and III are omitted.Accordingly, the solenoid I3 is deenergized and the valve I2 is closedduring the first fiush rinse and, therefore, only relatively warm waterat the washing temperature is employed for the first flush rinse.

Furthermore, the solenoid 69 is deenergized andthe valve 68 is closedduring the final spray rinse so that only cold water is admitted to thefabrics at this time. Otherwise, the structure and oping the firstflushing rinse is advantageous as it more readily dissolves the soapresidue deposited within the basket by the receding water as it isdrained from the basket. The warm water, furthermore, expands the fibresof the fabrics which facilitates the centrifuging of wash watertherefrom. The agitating or deep rinse which follows is carried out inthe same manner as described in connection with the first embodiment.The final spray rinse which accompanies the initial portion of thecentrifuging or final extraction period, employs only cold water in thepresent embodiment. This operation is effected, not only for the savingof hot water, but for the purpose of cooling the fabrics for subsequenthandling and for contracting the fibres thereof. We have found that thefabrics are very effectively cleared of soap residue when rinsed inaccordance with the program of the present embodiment and that theremoval of the fabrics from the basket may be more comfortably carriedout where the fabrics and the air in the tub are first cooled. It willbe understood in this connection that a substantial portion of themoisture in the heated air within the tub is condensed and precipitatedtherefrom by the cold pray.

While we have shown our invention in several forms, it will be obviousto those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptibleof various other changes and modifications without departing from thespirit thereof, and we desire, therefore, that only such limitationsshall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appendedclaims.

What we claim is:

1. In apparatus for washing fabrics and for subsequently centrifugingwashing water therefrom, the combination of a container for a body ofwashing water and the fabrics to be treated, means for agitating thefabrics within the container at relatively low speed for effecting tashing and rinsing actions, means for rotating the fabrics at relativelyhigh speed for extracting fluid from the fabrics, sources of hot andcold water, a timer for energizing said agitating means at differenttimes for providing washing and rinsing periods, said timer beingeffective to energize said high speed rotating means at different timesfor the extraction of washing and rinsing water from the fabrics, meanscontrolled by the timer for admitting water from said hot water sourceto the container prior to the washing and rinsing periods and meanscontrolled by the timer for spraying a predetermined quantity 'of coldwater only within the container during the final high speed rotation ofthe fabrics, said quantity of cold water being effective to cool thefabrics and to reduce, substantially, the moisture content of theatmosphere within the container.

2. In apparatus for washing fabrics and for subsequently centrifugingwashing water therefrom, the combination of a container for a body ofwashing water and the fabrics to be treated, means for agitating thefabrics within the container at relatively low speed for effectingwashing and rinsing actions, means for rotating the fabrics atrelatively high speed for extracting fiuid from the fabrics, sources ofhot and cold water, a thermostatically-controlled water-mixing deviceconnected to said hot and cold water sources and adjustable forproviding a water mixture of predetermined temperature, a first valvecontrolling the fiow of mixed water from said mixing device to thecontainer, means including a second valve for delivering cold water tothe container, and time-controlled means for controlling the agitatingand rotating means and determining the duration of the periods of operaton thereof, said time-controlled means including means for opening saidfirst valve at the beginning of the washing period, means for openingthe first and second valves at the beginning of the rinsing period andmeans for opening the second valve only for a predetermined period oftime during the period of high speed rotation of the fabrics.

FRANK BRECKENRIDGE. EARL K. CLARK.

